Do I change my dates by 2 days for FD?

[wannabebelle]

I have a package booked (including dining) for 7 nights beginning 12/8. We are taking 3 children (13, 9, and 6). We already have all of our dining reservations and got everything we wanted. We're staying at AofA and the package price with non-hopping 7 day tickets was abour $4,900.

Now, of course, they've released FD for Visa cardholders. The closest check in to my original package is 12/10. We are already pulling the kids out of school and doing a Monday-Monday trip would cause them to miss another day and us to use an extra day of vacation. We are not willing to shorten the trip.

We want to do the regular dining plan so there would be an upgrade charge for that since we're staying at a value resort, but I'm not sure how to price that. I think you have to call to get the deal and the travel company number is closed for the night.

So, just checking the price with removing the dining package cuts off about $1,300 from the package price!! Even with the increase in cost to upgrade to regular from quick service, I'm guessing we would still save about $1,000 to switch dates.

I just don't know about all the other intangibles.....the kids missing an extra day of school, using an extra day of vacation from work, we're flying and it's likely Monday flights will be higher than Saturday flights, I'd bet we'll lose a dining reservation we had hoped for in the process, I think every day we stay that is closer to 12/25 will be more crowded and this puts us two days closer, a Saturday-Saturday trip gives us a day to recover on Sunday before going back to work, etc.

So......what would you do? I can think of many reasons not to change, but it's $1,000!!!!!!! And what are the chances that I change and then Disney releases a FD package or room only discount that includes 12/8? I know Pop Warner is 12/8 but isn't that when they are all LEAVING?

 

[Phatoomch]

Here's what I'm seeing - the dates most likely won't be any different so yes, you would have to change your dates.

You may not get your resort/view/category etc that you originally booked.

Also, did you book your trip before or after recent increases, if before, you will have to factor in the difference of the new tickets prices also.

You were comfortable with the cost before so is the hassle, possible resort change worth the saving for you?

 

[mom of 3G's]

I have a package booked (including dining) for 7 nights beginning 12/8. We are taking 3 children (13, 9, and 6). We already have all of our dining reservations and got everything we wanted. We're staying at AofA and the package price with non-hopping 7 day tickets was abour $4,900.

Now, of course, they've released FD for Visa cardholders. The closest check in to my original package is 12/10. We are already pulling the kids out of school and doing a Monday-Monday trip would cause them to miss another day and us to use an extra day of vacation. We are not willing to shorten the trip.

We want to do the regular dining plan so there would be an upgrade charge for that since we're staying at a value resort, but I'm not sure how to price that. I think you have to call to get the deal and the travel company number is closed for the night.

So, just checking the price with removing the dining package cuts off about $1,300 from the package price!! Even with the increase in cost to upgrade to regular from quick service, I'm guessing we would still save about $1,000 to switch dates.

I just don't know about all the other intangibles.....the kids missing an extra day of school, using an extra day of vacation from work, we're flying and it's likely Monday flights will be higher than Saturday flights, I'd bet we'll lose a dining reservation we had hoped for in the process, I think every day we stay that is closer to 12/25 will be more crowded and this puts us two days closer, a Saturday-Saturday trip gives us a day to recover on Sunday before going back to work, etc.

So......what would you do? I can think of many reasons not to change, but it's $1,000!!!!!!! And what are the chances that I change and then Disney releases a FD package or room only discount that includes 12/8? I know Pop Warner is 12/8 but isn't that when they are all LEAVING?

I could have wrote this same post! We are scheduled for 12/8-12/15 (Sat-Sat) and even have our flights booked. I have gone back and forth on what to do, even calling the airlines to see how much it would cost to change them to Monday-Monday ($410). In the end I have come to terms with booking the package with free dining from 12/10-15 and doing a room only reservation for the first 2 nights even if there is no room-only discount. I am hoping that we will be able to pick up our package tickets 2 days early. Saturday is pretty much awash for us anyways because of our arrival time so if the worst case scenario is that I can't get my tickets early for Sunday park entry, then we'll just go to DTD and hang out at the resort and play in the sand. I am going to book the room-only reservation at the same hotel we are staying at for the package. I don't want the hassle of moving from hotel to hotel.

 

[wannabebelle]

We haven't booked flights yet but we do intend to fly. I'm now pondering doing a Sunday-Sunday trip and staying off site Sunday night and doing MVMCP that night. Still need to call to get the actual price but I saw on another thread that the reservation system was down this morning so I've been trying to wait out the backlog.

 

[mom of 3G's]

Just when I think I'm okay with my decision I look at the numbers and am back to where I started. Here's where I'm at and maybe somebody could help me make a decision.

Dec. 10-15 free dining, 5 day tx, Contemporary bay lake view $4134
I will probably upgrade to deluxe dining since I'm cramming all my table service meals into 5 days instead of 7 +$595
Dec. 8-10 room only Contemporary garden wing +$827

Total: $5556.

Dec. 10-17 free dining BLT, 8 day tx, Contemporary bay lake view $5413
Airline change fee $410

Total: $5823

 

[Phatoomch]

Just when I think I'm okay with my decision I look at the numbers and am back to where I started. Here's where I'm at and maybe somebody could help me make a decision.

Dec. 10-15 free dining, 5 day tx, Contemporary bay lake view $4134
I will probably upgrade to deluxe dining since I'm cramming all my table service meals into 5 days instead of 7 +$595
Dec. 8-10 room only Contemporary garden wing +$827

Total: $5556.

Dec. 10-17 free dining BLT, 8 day tx, Contemporary bay lake view $5413
Airline change fee $410

Total: $5823

How does that compare to what you were previously paying?

 

[mom of 3G's]

We haven't booked flights yet but we do intend to fly. I'm now pondering doing a Sunday-Sunday trip and staying off site Sunday night and doing MVMCP that night. Still need to call to get the actual price but I saw on another thread that the reservation system was down this morning so I've been trying to wait out the backlog.

I'd do Sunday-Sunday with MVMCP on Sunday. I would stay on site at the same hotel that your package is booked at. I thought about staying off site also, but we would have to rent a car or pay a taxi to do the shuffling around and by the time that's paid for, it would pretty much make the savings a wash. Are you renting a car for your entire stay?

 

[wannabebelle]

We are renting a car for the entire stay. I am not 100% opposed to staying onsite Sunday night....I guess that's what people call a split reservation? I don't mind doing it, but would we have to change rooms? Actually, it would probably be cheaper to not do it. One night at AofA is $200+ and I could get a Springhill Suites for around $100 I imagine.

 

[mom of 3G's]

How does that compare to what you were previously paying?

$6706 without the discount.

 

[Laketravis]

We are arriving late Friday evening 12/7 and staying thru the following Saturday 12/15.

I plan on making a room-only reservation for 12/7 - 12/10 with ME arrival, then book a package at the same resort (CSR) with FD and 7 day Park Hoppers for 12/10 thru 12/15 with ME departure.

We'll pickup our tickets early at a park GS on Saturday and be able to use them Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues/Wed/Thu/Fri with free dining on Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri.

 

[bamatmac]

We are arriving late Friday evening 12/7 and staying thru the following Saturday 12/15.

I plan on making a room-only reservation for 12/7 - 12/10 with ME arrival, then book a package at the same resort (CSR) with FD and 7 day Park Hoppers for 12/10 thru 12/15 with ME departure.

We'll pickup our tickets early at a park GS on Saturday and be able to use them Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues/Wed/Thu/Fri with free dining on Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri.

Hi Laketravis, Sorry for the newbie question, but do you have to switch rooms during your stay when doing a split reservation like that?